A sad day for the NHL community as it mourns the passing of former NHL enforcer, Chris Simon, at the age of 52. The news was confirmed by the NHL Alumni X/Twitter account. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Earlier reports circulating on the internet about Simon’s passing were sadly confirmed by the NHL Alumni account and some of his former teammates including Joe Sakic and Mike Commodore.
According to ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark, Sakic expressed his sorrow with the following statement:
“Chris was an excellent teammate and played a significant role in our first championship win. He had both skill and strength, always defending his team. Off the ice, he was a wonderful person and a loving family member and friend. He will be dearly missed.”
Simon was part of the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in the 1995-96 season, contributing 16 goals and 34 points in 64 games. Despite his reputation as an enforcer, he showed his offensive prowess during that successful season.
The 6-foot-3, 232-pound winger also made it to the Stanley Cup Final with the Washington Capitals in 1998 and the Calgary Flames in 2004, showcasing his skills on the ice that almost led both teams to championship glory.
Known for his physical play, Simon was a beloved figure among fans. Throughout his career with various NHL teams, he amassed impressive penalty minutes, reaching over 100 minutes in nine seasons, with a peak of 250 minutes in the 2003-04 and 1995-96 seasons.
Chris Simon’s NHL Career Stats
Chris Simon’s NHL journey included stints with seven teams, apart from the Nordiques/Avalanche, Capitals, and Flames. He also played for the New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, and New York Rangers.
In his most productive season in 1999-2000 with the Washington Capitals, Simon netted 29 goals and 49 points. Across 782 games, he tallied 144 goals, 305 points, and collected 1,824 penalty minutes throughout his career.
